SSP Forum: "Election Integrity: Perception and Reality" with David Dill

The
Symbolic Systems Forum
(community sessions of SYMSYS 280 - Symbolic Systems Research Seminar)
presents

Election Integrity: Perception and Reality 

A discussion with David Dill
Computer Science Department

Monday, December 2, 2024
12;30-1:20 pm PT
Margaret Jacks Hall (Bldg. 460), Room 126
In-person event, not recorded 
(see below for entry instructions if you are not an active Stanford affiliate)

Note: Lunch is provided, if pre-ordered, only for members of SYMSYS 280 and guest speakers, but others are welcome to bring a lunch and eat during the presentation.

DESCRIPTION:

For this session, we are honored to be joined by David Dill, the Donald E. Knuth Professor in the School of Engineering, Emeritus. In 2004, Prof. Dill founded the Verified Voting Foundation, whose mission is "to strengthen democracy for all voters by promoting the responsible use of technology in elections.” We will discuss the current state of, and future possibilities for, securing the U.S. election system following the 2024 election season — during which concerns about the integrity of voting and election administration were prominently expressed by many across the political spectrum.

After a review of the some of the issues, attendees will have a chance to pose their own questions, with priority given to students in SYMSYS 280. Possible discussion questions include the following:

• "Was the 2020 presidential election stolen as Donald Trump claims?"
• "In general, how do we evaluate such claims?"
• "What is a rational approach to election security? What problems should we worry about the most?"
• "What are the strengths and weaknesses of the American election system in terms of trustworthiness?”
• “Should voters be required to show an ID at the polling place?"
• "Where do we go from here?"

NOTES ON ENTRY TO THE MEETING ROOM:

Entry to the building is open to anyone with an active Stanford ID via the card readers next to each door. If you do not have a Stanford ID, you can gain entry between 12:15 and 12:30pm ONLY by knocking on the exterior windows of room 126. These windows are to the left of the west side exterior door on the first floor of Margaret Jacks Hall, which faces the back east side of Building 420. Please do not knock on these windows after 12:30pm when the talk has started. We will not be able to come out and open the door for you at that point.